The Riverton Racing Club has attracted 130 starters for its New Year’s Day gallops this year, delighting club president Mike McCurdy.

“It is a new date for us and Southland. It was previously Waikouaiti’s Day, but there has been a restructuring of racing . . . There are a lot of horses from Southland, which is great. We have about 130 starters for race day and that is a huge improvement. It is a really good start us. I am happy,” Mr McCurdy said.

Mr McCurdy said he expected about 1500 to 2000 people to attend race day. However, the club’s most popular event was usually at Easter, when about 5000 people would turn up, he said.

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The gates would open at the Riverton Racecourse at 11am and the first race would be underway by 12.20pm.

There were 10 races, all with good fields of mainly Southland horses, although there would be some competition from Otago and Canterbury horses.

The feature race, the Carriers Arms Summer Cup would get under away about 4.30pm, with the final race of the day just before 6pm.

The Riverton Racing Club was founded in 1907 and is a charity. It raises funds to complete capital works around the racecourse, including the facilities, irrigation and infrastructure.

The racecourse is also used by the Riverton community and schools for events, sports days and weddings.

“As a committee, we are just here to look after the club and facilities. They have been here for a long time and we are just here for the present time to make sure it continues for the future,” Mr McCurdy said.